Ex-MLC Dr Madhukarrao Wasnik passes away
   Date :28-Mar-2024

Dr Madhukarrao Wasnik  
 
 
 
 
Staff Reporter
 
 
Dr Madhukarrao Shyamraoji Wasnik, former MLC, a visionary educationist, popular paediatrician, and a committed social worker in the Vidarbha region passed away on Wednesday morning. He was 90. He leaves behind wife, two sons, three daughters and a host of relatives to mourn his loss. Last rites were performed at Vaishali Nagar ghat. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, ex-Minister Dr Nitin Raut, Satish Chaturvedi, ex-Union Minister Vilas Muttemwar, ex-MLA Dr Milind Mane, ex-MLC Prakash Gajbhiye, ex-MLC Prof Jogendra Kawade also were present during the funeral. A born social worker, Dr Wasnik started free teaching in noted freedom fighter Shri Marpakwarji’s school in 1956 in Nagpur when he was a student of MBBS. Dr Wasnik founded Dr Ambedkar Medicos Association in 1976. The organisation later renamed as BAHO which is working at National level and started ‘Dr Wasnik Oration’ in annual conference in his honour.
 
Academician of extraordinary insight Dr Wasnik was elected as Dean Faculty of Medicine by defeating ex-Union Minister Dr Sushila Nayar and Member of Executive Council in Nagpur University with the blessings of Baba Amte. He took tremendous efforts in introducing Paediatrics as a separate discipline from Medicine in 1978 which is an epoch making work in medical academics. In this way Nagpur University became first in the nation to have Paediatrics as a separate discipline through his unstinting efforts. Born in a Bidi worker’s family and an activist from the student’s life, he was well aware of pitiable condition in Bidi worker’s life. Therefore, Dr Wasnik jumped into the Bidi Kamgar’s Movements from the late 1960s to fight for the rights of these people. Aware of the plight of Dalit and minority students aspiring degree education especially girls, he opened P.W.S.
 
Arts and Commerce College in backward region of Nagpur in 1968 and Indira Gandhi Arts and Commerce College in rural Kalmeshwar in 1984 which produces more than forty thousand graduates and post graduates till the date. Dr Wasnik was elected as corporator and worked as Chairman of Standing Committee in Nagpur Municipal Corporation. He worked as General Secretary of MPCC. Later late Rajiv Gandhi recommended his name for MLC under Social Works Category as Governor’s nominee from 1990 to 1996. His supportive contribution in creating Vidarbha Hockey Association in 1971, the only academy in Nagpur which promotes the National game in the region and facilitates training for players over the years is always unforgettable.